San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-08-09

1 wanted her 90 give up woman's dearest
hopes and sweetest affections, and be the same
sunshiny Ruth she was before my hand tore
away her love dreams. wanted her 20 put
away all the loving, tender ties Of wifehood
and motherhood, and pass her life in devotion
at the armchair Of paralyzed old man. And
when she complied, with gentle, touching sub
mission, then / wanted her TO be the bright,
happy girl who had resigned nothing, and
who could nurse sweet, girlish fancies, with
John for hero. An unreasonable old tyrant,
wasn't IL
The winter came in early that year, and
before Christmas everything was frozen up
tight, and the cold was intense. We piled up
coal in the stoves, listed doors and windows
that is, Ruth did the work, and enjoyed the
result; but there came one cold day-one
Friday-when it seemed no Goals, no listing,
could conquer the cold. Children froze on
their way to school that day, and wero found,
stiff and stark leaning against the fences.
Food froze on the tables. Ask any one in Maine
If they remember that black Friday, and see
If some mothers eyes will not fill as they
think of the little scarlet hooded figures
brought TO their doors, white and rigid, that
had lifted rosy, round cheeks for kiss only
a few short hours before.
This cold Friday Ruth hurried through her
work in the morning, making my room the
warmest place in the house, covering my
armchair with soft wooens and moving it
near the stove would have it face the win
dow, for my glimpse of outdoor life was too
precious to resign; but | was not, as usual,
near it, for Ruth said there might be draft.
When all was done indoors saw from nv
chair Ruth. with n scarlet cloak and hood
thrown over her, going to the well with an
empty bucket. She stepped along quickly
over the hard, frozen ground. and was adj
miring the trim little feet and the dainty
figure, when | saw her slide 10 the two stems
that were above the well walls and fall Sh.
hal slipped. and she Law doubled M between
t,e two wooden stems and the rouph sides Of
che well. as IL she could not rise Two or
three times her hands clutched the lower
step. and she raised herself half way up. only
TO fall back again, as if her limbs would not
support her.
And [ could only look ON. powerless to nova
70 aid her. Oh, the idea of i'll To know che
was hurt, unable to rise. and I HELPLESS a. a
log. screamed and called for helm eiIas
was somewhere, [ could not tell where and I
called loudly for him. | could see. after n
time. that Ruth. after her frantic STRUGGLES
was growing drowsy with the death sleen Of
cold. The scarlet hood drooped more and
more. till IL rested against the we'll side and
the blue yeined lids closed over her ewes
The sight called from me such a cry of agony
rs thought must be heard for miles.
II was heard A moment later John HAYES.
pantinp and eager eyed burst omen the door
"What is itP he cried al heard Won call
ing on the road.r
WRuthl Ruthr screamed GShs ia freez-
ing to death by the well.r
He STONED to hear no more Ont upon the
hard, slippery ground, down the steps with
swift, rapid strides. and then saw him stoop
and lift the little scarlet cloaked f,oure In his
strong arms. and come swiftly back. bending
his face down over the senseless one on his
arm. while hot tears rained down his brown
cheeks He nut her on a lounge near nv
chair. and then dashed ont for snow.
Grub her, rub herln he said. 81 am going
for doctor and for nv MOTHER
Before il seemed possible he could have
crossed the lots TO his home his mother was
with me and lifted Ruth AWAY from the fire
TO the bed The doctor came and the two
worked till nv heart sank with utter hone
lessness before the blue ewes opened again or
the breath futtered through the male Iins
But il did at last. and John Joined me in a
fervent Thank Godw
But Ruth had broken her leg, and we knew
she must lie belpless for MANY weeks before
she could be our active. bright girl again II
was an appalling truth for me to face but
she was NOT dead. not living frozen AGAINST the
rough well curb and | could not but feel
thankfulness far. far above the main Of know
ing her suffering. was trying to settle It
all in my mind; to understand the doctors
words, while Mrs, HAYES and the doctor lifted
Ruth to her own room that opened into mine
They were away long time, and John sat
beside me. holding nv hand in his, and COM
forting me as if had not taken the very hope
of his life from him.
"Don't grieve So" he said gently. @Sbe will
i've"
~Thanks to you.rI said. 40. John. IL she
gets well she is yours. Give her vour strong
arm for life, John, instead of my heIplessness
I see to-day where NV selfish love has nearly